In just over ten years, geospatial tracking has gone from being a niche technology used by the military and outdoor enthusiasts to mass adoption, available to just about every connected device in existence. GPS and other location-tracking systems not only allows us to find our way and share our location but is critical to businesses and governments. However, while GPS has become a standard thanks to its accuracy and availability, decentralized applications can’t rely on its location data as it can be easily spoofed and lacks reliability. We’re joined by Ryan John King, CEO of FOAM, a blockchain protocol which aims to offer secure location services independent of external centralized sources such as GPS. FOAM introduces a novel crypto-spacial coordinate system that is better suited to blockchains than standard addresses or latitude and longitude coordinates. It also provides a Proof of Location Protocol, which leverages long-range low-power radio networks, and incentive mechanisms, allowing network participants to arrive at consensus on whether an event or agent is verifiably at a particular point in time and space. Topics covered in this episode: Ryan’s background and how he became involved in the space How geospatial tracking works and the pitfalls of GPS The vision for FOAM and the problem it is trying to solve The proposed Crypto-Spatial Coordinate Standard FOAM’s Spacial Index fullstack visualizer The Proof of Location Protocol proposed by FOAM Low-power radio networks and their role in the system The civil and business applications for FOAM Episode links: FOAM Website FOAM Blog This episode is hosted by Meher Roy and Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/229

Over the past year, as cryptocurrencies and ICOs started to go mainstream, we have seen a huge surge in regulatory activities. In the US, many different regulatory bodies including SEC, CFTC and FinCEN stepped forward to regulate crypto projects in different ways. Seemingly contradictory statements have added to confusion and fear of a broad crackdown looming. We were joined by CoinCenter Director of Research Peter Van Valkenburgh to shed clarity on recent developments and understand where things are heading. Topics covered in this episode: The recent congressional hearings about cryptocurrencies and ICOs How the US regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies evolved in the last year Whether overly broad and contradictory regulation is emerging in the US Understanding the difference between CFTC and SEC Why CFTC regulating existing cryptocurrencies and SEC ICOs would be a good outcome Why decentralized exchanges will be a likely target by SEC The recent letter by FinCEN about ICOs and money transmission Comparing US to European regulation and why the US could end up more friendly Episode links: Coin Center Website The Bank Secrecy Act, Cryptocurrencies, and New Tokens: What is Known and What Remains Ambiguous FinCEN raises major licensing problem for ICOs in new letter to Congress. Federal Court Adopts CFTC Position on Cryptocurrency Authority SEC.gov | Statement on Cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings Gibraltar Plans to Regulate ICO Tokens as Commercial Products E182: Peter Van Valkenburgh - Towards Sound Bitcoin Policy Donate to Coin Center This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/227